Thursday, December 27, 2007

I've brought a stack of books home from the library for our Kwanzza reading. I'm putting together a suggested reading list for young children; mostly folktales from various African countries and American titles. These aren't stories about Kwanzaa. I haven't found any really good fable or folk tales that center on the particular holiday the way Hannukkah has a rich folklore and Christmas has a canon of literature. These are stories, folktales and fables that I feel reflect or illustrate the seven principles.

Kwanzaa is a non-religious African American holiday celebrating family, culture and character. Many of the terms we use come from Swahili, a common language used across the continent of Africa. The seven days between Christmas and New Year's each focus on one of the Nguza Saba (seven principles): Umoja (unity), Kujichaguliaa (self-determination), Ujima (collective work and responsibility), Ujamaa (cooperative economics), Nia (purpose), Kuumba (creativity), and Imani (faith). Here's what we will be enjoying this week:

Imani (faith):The Boy Who Didn't Believe in Spring by Lucile CliftonA Child is Born by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Floyd CooperMartin's Big Words by Doreen Rappaport, illustrated by Bryan CollierHome Place by Crescent Dragonwagon, illustrated by Jerry Pinkney

This is a working list; not a hard and fast syllabus. I hope you will join in with your suggestions and experiences. Do you have a book or story to add? If you celebrate Kwanzaa please leave me a comment or link to your writing about it.

4 comments:

Anonymous
said...

Hi,

I found your blog through Anti-Racist Parent (I think) and I'm also a librarian. I enjoy the resource lists that the Seattle Public Library post in their kids section. Although none are identified as Kwanzaa books I thought you might like to peruse their list titled "Doorways to African American Culture & Tradition"